House Backs Security Assistance to Israel

The House passed legislation that authorizes $2.55 billion in security assistance to Israel for fiscal year 2009, and endorses the implementation of a 10-year U.S.-Israeli security agreement that pledges $30 billion in security assistance to Israel over the next decade. The bill, passed by voice vote on Thursday, also requires the president to evaluate on an ongoing basis the extent to which Israel has a qualitative military edge over all possible military threats, and to assess all future U.S. military sales in that context. The United States plans to provide increased security assistance to Israel over the next decade to help the two countries face growing threats to the region. Learn more about the importance of U.S. security assistance to Israel.

Bipartisan House Delegation Visits Israel

A bipartisan delegation of leading House members landed in Israel on Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state’s founding. The 13-member delegation is being led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL). “The creation of Israel stands out as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and as a beacon of hope to the world,” Pelosi said. “We pay tribute to the many people, who with pioneering spirits, brave determination, and deep commitment, made the modern state of Israel a reality.” The delegation arrives in the wake of President Bush’s historic visit to Israel, where he reaffirmed the unshakeable bond between America and the Jewish state. Read the presidents’s speech to the Knesset.

Lawmakers Raise Concerns on U.S.-Russia Deal

Members of the House and Senate raised concerns about the U.S.-Russia nuclear agreement that President Bush submitted to Congress on Tuesday, pointing to Russia’s ongoing support for Iran’s illicit nuclear program, Congressional Quarterly reported. “I am disappointed by our administration’s insistence on moving forward to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia at a time when it is actively undermining our foreign policy with respect to Iran – the most serious threat to international security,” said Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN). Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, raised similar concerns, noting that Russia “has not been fully supportive of tough and far-reaching multilateral sanctions to convince Iran to cease its dangerous uranium enrichment activities.” Thirty-two senators signed a letter to the president last week authored by Coleman and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) that had urged Bush not to send the agreement to Congress until Russia ends its support for Iran’s nuclear program.